What is the best Jack DeJohnette album to start with?

The best album to start with is "In Movement" (2016). It's the most representative of what makes Jack DeJohnette worth hearing.

What are the best Jack DeJohnette albums?

The essential Jack DeJohnette albums include "New Directions in Europe", "Zebra", "The DeJohnette Complex" (1969), "Have You Heard?" (1970) and "New Rags" (1977).

How many albums does Jack DeJohnette have?

Jack DeJohnette has 53 releases in their discography, including 50 albums.

Photo: Ric Brooks Knoxville, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

Jack DeJohnette

Q: Who is Jack DeJohnette for?

If you're into jazz fusion and new age music, Jack DeJohnette is worth your time. With intricate time signatures and percussive textures that ebb and swell, DeJohnette’s music creates an immersive rhythmic landscape that invites exploration.

With intricate time signatures and percussive textures that ebb and swell, DeJohnette’s music creates an immersive rhythmic landscape that invites exploration.

free jazz · jazz fusion · new age music

United States

Read about Jack DeJohnette on Bookshop

Start here

The album

In Movement (2016)

This album showcases DeJohnette's fusion of jazz styles with intricate rhythms, providing a cohesive and accessible introduction to his work.

The song

“Zebra”

The track features engaging rhythms and showcases DeJohnette's unique percussive style, making it an inviting entry point for new listeners.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"The Elephant Sleeps but Still Remembers..." — from The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers (2006)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Alabama" — from In Movement (2016)

establishes the sonic palette early
3

"Minya's the Mooch" — from New Rags (1977)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"Numoessence" — from Extra Special Edition (1995)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Jack In" — from Parallel Realities (1990)

establishes the sonic palette early
6

"Starburst" — from Inflation Blues (1983)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Jack DeJohnette

Jack DeJohnette matters as a transformative force in the jazz landscape, redefining the role of the drummer beyond mere timekeeping.

His approach has shifted listener expectations, allowing for rhythm to become a fluid narrative element that interacts with melody and harmony in unconventional ways.

His approach has shifted listener expectations, allowing for rhythm to become a fluid narrative element that interacts with melody and harmony in unconventional ways. By layering intricate polyrhythms and exploring silence, DeJohnette has opened pathways for both musicians and audiences to experience jazz as an expansive, ever-evolving form. DeJohnette's process is marked by a deep understanding of improvisation, where each performance becomes a conversation rather than a scripted affair. He navigates through various sonic terrains, often merging traditional jazz elements with avant-garde influences, creating a space where experimentation thrives. This willingness to embrace unpredictability fosters a unique connection between performer and audience, inviting listeners into a shared moment of discovery. His songwriting often explores themes of introspection and nature, reflecting on personal experiences while engaging with broader existential questions. DeJohnette’s voice carries a contemplative tone that balances sincerity with an impressionistic quality, crafting narratives that feel both personal and universal. He frequently employs storytelling techniques that evoke vivid imagery, allowing listeners to connect emotionally with his artistic vision.

50 studio albums· 53 total releases· 5 decades· United States